
easy
6–7 hours
Suitable for most fitness levels — short swims and light wading required for snorkeling stops.
Spend 6–7 hours skimming between seven dramatic bays off Huatulco by panga or yacht — snorkel coral gardens, watch dolphins and turtles, and feel the coastal pulse at El Bufadero blowhole. This private tour includes a seafood lunch and stops at film-famous Cacaluta and the sheltered La India Beach.
The engine hums low as the coastline falls away and the open Pacific begins to organize itself into a series of blue rooms — seven bays, each with its own personality. Onboard a panga or a small yacht, travelers watch dolphins slice across the bow, curious and quick, while the captain eases the boat toward El Bufadero. When the blowhole pulses, the sea pushes a guttural exhale skyward and the boat rocks with a reminder that this coastline still makes its own rules.

The national park restricts harmful chemicals — choose reef-safe SPF and reapply after swimming.
If you’re prone to motion sickness, take medication before boarding; morning departures tend to have calmer seas.
Carry small bills for beach vendors, fresh coconut and gratuities; restaurants may not accept cards.
Water shoes or sturdy sandals make shallow entries and scramble off boats safer and more comfortable.
Santa Cruz Bay served as a principal port in early colonial New Spain and these shores have witnessed pirate activity and the 1831 surrender of General Vicente Guerrero.
These bays are part of Huatulco National Park; visitors should avoid touching coral, use reef-safe products and follow local waste rules to protect marine life.
Protects skin and the coral ecosystems you’ll snorkel over.
summer specific
Familiar gear fits better and makes longer snorkel sessions more enjoyable.
Protect feet on rocky shore entries and slippery boat ladders.
summer specific
Mornings and late afternoons can be breezy on open water, especially in winter.
winter specific